Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2008 0:27:17 GMT -5
The Great Hall is large and well lit, with many long trestle tables and a raised dais where the Lady of Duskendale sits with her chief guests. Torches light it up at evening feasts, and harpists, flutists and singers entertain the guests.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2008 0:29:28 GMT -5
Aranya and the lords that accompanied her to Duskendale, as well as their chief captains, are feasted in the Great Hall, with many men-at-arms at the trestle tables. The fires are roaring and musicians have been hurriedly called up from the city to entertain the guests.
At the high table, all the chief guests sit. Aranya looks relieved.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2008 0:33:36 GMT -5
A messenger is sent to see if there is any chance that Brandon Stone has not left the city yet, and if so, to bring him for the feast.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rickard and Laurence Evergreen on Apr 9, 2008 0:35:03 GMT -5
An elegantly dressed man witha rapier and distinguished moustache kneels before Aranya. "My lady... I am Ser Laurence and you can only be the Lady of Duskendale... your name suits your figure."
|
|
|
|
Post by The Smith on Apr 9, 2008 0:35:20 GMT -5
Jonjen Hill sits near her, and looks at the wide selection of foods available.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2008 0:39:24 GMT -5
Aranya raises him up. "Well met, Ser Laurence. Sit down. But I must ask, what part of my name suits my figure?" Her eyes twinkled.
The serving girls brought out crab soup with onion and leeks and pears cooked in honey and wine to start with, with goblets filling up with a sweet young red wine.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tallahar on Apr 9, 2008 0:43:53 GMT -5
Tallahar drinks some wine and begins to eat but shows no signs of speaking.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Howland Royce on Apr 9, 2008 1:40:41 GMT -5
Brandon appears in the Great Hall, looking rather tired. He takes a seat near Aranya and smiles.
|
|
|
|
Post by Imry Willfyre on Apr 9, 2008 9:37:40 GMT -5
Ser Jeorge also appears in the great hall, eager to drink away the anxiety he had about battle.
|
|
|
|
Post by barker520 on Apr 9, 2008 9:43:46 GMT -5
Ser Jon Lydden, alongside his trusted man, Ser Richard Cobbs, eats at the table but wears a bitter expression. He had reluctantly obeyed his brother in coming here to Duskendale to battle instead of fighting the Dornish. As it turned out, there was no battle at Duskendale. Jon had been robbed of all chances of glory. Never trust a woman, Jon reminded himself, disgusted.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2008 11:00:30 GMT -5
"Brandon, I am deeply in your debt," Aranya said, standing up to welcome her cousin as he climbed to the high table. "I am fortunate indeed to have a kinsman like you. Everyone! This here is my cousin, Brandon Stone, and the man we have to thank for our peace and the safety of your troops now." As the table toasted him, Aranya gave Brandon a seat of high honor beside her at the table.
The first course of fish was brought out, roast capon with orange pecan stuffing and salmon in wine sauce, griddled pikes stuffed with herbs, and salad with shrimp and pine nuts in a dressing of vinegar and salt. Duskendale was a port, and known for its seafood.
"Tell us what magic you worked to get those damned priests under your thumb," Aranya asked her cousin, indicating that the first serving of every dish should be to him.
When she saw Ser Jeorge Estermont enter, she smiled at him and bade him to sit at table. Wine was free flowing tonight.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2008 11:04:17 GMT -5
Two knights who had long been in Lady Aranya's service, Ser Ethan Smallwick and Ser Patrek Harte, had lived on in the city after the priests took over. They were better at making merry than fighting, but Aranya took them back into her service, and now they sat at table with her guests.
"Lord Tallahar, I am pleased to finally meet you," Ser Ethan said. "I've heard tell that Lady Haley is the loveliest lady of the Reach, and I wanted to hear the truth from your lips."
Ser Patrek noticed the disgruntled westerland knight and leaned forward. "You seem displeased you had no war," he said with a grin. "I can't understand that myself. Some knights lust for ladies, others for glory, or riches, but I just lust for a clean bed and some peace, and I don't mind admitting it. I could take the riches and wenches too, but if glory puts me at risk of dying, then I don't need it."
|
|
|
|
Post by barker520 on Apr 9, 2008 11:07:37 GMT -5
Jon could not tell him how he had never been able to live up to Lewys; how everything seemed to go right for him; how deep down, in the bottom of his heart, he had been disappointed when they had fished his brother out of the sea after the battle of Bear Island. He loved his brother dearly, but Jon was a bitter man at times. And once again, he had been robbed of his chance for glory. No, Jon could not tell this Lady Aranya, or Ser Patrek, all of that. And so he just smiled, and said, "As you say, ser."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2008 11:13:41 GMT -5
"Good! Have some wine with me," Ser Patrek said, as their flagons were refilled. "Now, you're a westerland knight, aren't you?" Ser Patrek didn't recognize the arms on his shield, but that was natural; the crownlands were far from the westerlands, and nobody knew the sigils of all the Houses.
|
|
|
|
Post by barker520 on Apr 9, 2008 11:30:18 GMT -5
"I am," Jon replied. "Of House Lydden. A small but noble house, ancient too. My brother was just named Warden of the West and Regent of the Rock. He's down in Dorne killing snakes, while I'm up here feasting at some city of the Lightning God's."
|
|
Hope you all are well and happy.